SQ221 Air Med One?
In the wee hours on 17th July,I overheard rather interesting radio calls on MEL VHF. SQ 221 requested medical assistances upon arrival and priority for arrival.Estimated position of SQ was near Leigh Creek(LEC).A series of calls were exchanged and the lady controller reckon SQ would arrive SYD before curfew is over.Here is a bit of it:
Lady controller:" SQ 221,are you declaring Air Med One?"
SQ:" Err...is it possible?".
After abour a minute of silence,
Lady controller:" SQ221,are you declaring Air Med One?"
SQ:"Err........"
a/c A:" You got to be joking!"
a/c B:" Just declare it!"
SQ:" Other stations,mind your own business!"
The whole conversation made an impression that SQ had an urgent medical case on board but very reluctant to declare an emergency.Below are my questions,hope someone in the know could shed some light.
1) What is 'Air Med One'? Went through the Australia AIP but found nothing about that term.
2) Would 'Air Med One' condition overide a curfew without penalty?
3) At that position,wouldn't it be better to divert to MEL since it is nearer? Not questioning the crew decision here but as a point of discussion where $$ versus human life?